Does Soda Cause Gout?

Sugary sodas have recently been implicated in everything from obesity to high blood pressure. But if you’re worried about gout, it may be especially important to steer clear of the sweet stuff.

Ongoing research has examined the relationship between rising soft drink consumption and an increase in gout. Consider this: The number of people with gout back in the 1970s was 20 per 100,000. By the mid-1990s, that number had more than doubled to 45.9 per 100,000. Likewise, soda consumption among adults rose by 61 percent from 1977 to 1997.

This link between soda intake and gout makes sense since the "source of almost all of the sweetness in sugary drinks comes from fructose — and fructose elevates uric acid levels, [leading to] gout," explains Hyon Choi, MD, DrPH, clinical associate professor of medicine in the rheumatology section at Boston University School of Medicine. Dr. Choi also points out that fructose is used to make high-fructose corn syrup, a substance commonly used to sweeten many foods and beverages besides soda.

Soda and Gout: The Link

Uric acid is usually filtered by the kidneys and excreted from your body in your urine. Gout occurs when uric acid builds up in the blood, causing uric acid crystals to form in one or more joints and leading to intense pain and swelling. There are a number of factors that can cause elevated uric acid levels, including heavy fructose consumption.

Choi's research has shown that study participants who consumed two or more servings of sugar- or fructose-sweetened soda each day had an 85 percent increased risk of developing gout, compared with participants who consumed less than one serving of sugary soda per month. Even sugary fruit juice, such as orange juice, raises the risk.

If diet soda is your vice, you may not have to worry as much about developing gout. "With diet soda, we did not find the association," Choi says.

Choi and his colleagues did find a slight increase in gout risk with consuming high-fructose fruits, such as apples and oranges. However, Choi emphasizes, artificially added fructose found in soda is linked to a higher risk of gout than naturally occurring sources of fructose like fruit.

Soda and Gout: What This Means for You

Traditionally, gout prevention strategies have focused on limiting protein-rich foods and alcohol, which can encourage uric acid accumulation in the body. This new research, however, suggests that cutting back on soda consumption may be just as important in preventing future gout attacks.

Also keep in mind that in the United States, the biggest single source of calories is soda sweetened with sugar or fructose. This means that beyond reducing your risk of developing gout, avoiding the empty calories in soda may also help you shed excess weight and keep your blood sugar levels in check. So instead of reaching for another soda or sugar-sweetened drink at your next meal, opt for water instead — your joints will thank you.

Sugary sodas have recently been implicated in everything from obesity to high blood pressure. But if you’re worried about gout, it may be especially important to steer clear of the sweet stuff.

Ongoing research has examined the relationship between rising soft drink consumption and an increase in gout. Consider this: The number of people with gout back in the 1970s was 20 per 100,000. By the mid-1990s, that number had more than doubled to 45.9 per 100,000. Likewise, soda consumption among adults rose by 61 percent from 1977 to 1997.

This link between soda intake and gout makes sense since the "source of almost all of the sweetness in sugary drinks comes from fructose — and fructose elevates uric acid levels, [leading to] gout," explains Hyon Choi, MD, DrPH, clinical associate professor of medicine in the rheumatology section at Boston University School of Medicine. Dr. Choi also points out that fructose is used to make high-fructose corn syrup, a substance commonly used to sweeten many foods and beverages besides soda.

Soda and Gout: The Link

Uric acid is usually filtered by the kidneys and excreted from your body in your urine. Gout occurs when uric acid builds up in the blood, causing uric acid crystals to form in one or more joints and leading to intense pain and swelling. There are a number of factors that can cause elevated uric acid levels, including heavy fructose consumption.

Choi's research has shown that study participants who consumed two or more servings of sugar- or fructose-sweetened soda each day had an 85 percent increased risk of developing gout, compared with participants who consumed less than one serving of sugary soda per month. Even sugary fruit juice, such as orange juice, raises the risk.

If diet soda is your vice, you may not have to worry as much about developing gout. "With diet soda, we did not find the association," Choi says.

Choi and his colleagues did find a slight increase in gout risk with consuming high-fructose fruits, such as apples and oranges. However, Choi emphasizes, artificially added fructose found in soda is linked to a higher risk of gout than naturally occurring sources of fructose like fruit.

Soda and Gout: What This Means for You

Traditionally, gout prevention strategies have focused on limiting protein-rich foods and alcohol, which can encourage uric acid accumulation in the body. This new research, however, suggests that cutting back on soda consumption may be just as important in preventing future gout attacks.

Also keep in mind that in the United States, the biggest single source of calories is soda sweetened with sugar or fructose. This means that beyond reducing your risk of developing gout, avoiding the empty calories in soda may also help you shed excess weight and keep your blood sugar levels in check. So instead of reaching for another soda or sugar-sweetened drink at your next meal, opt for water instead — your joints will thank you.

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Pain Assessment in Cats

Brondani JT, Luna SPL, Padovani CR: Refinement and initial validation of a multidimensional composite scale for use in assessing acute postoperative pain in cats, Am J Vet Res 72:174, 2011

The importance of treating pain in cats has received more attention in recent years. There has been an inherent difficulty in identifying and quantifying the intensity of pain in cats due to the lack of available and validated pain assessment tools for this species. This could lead to veterinary practitioners providing less than adequate levels of pain relief. Reliability and validity of scoring systems are vital for use in recognizing pain, quantifying pain intensity, and evaluating treatment effectiveness. The purpose of this study was to refine and test construct validity and reliability of a composite pain scale used for assessing acute postoperative pain in 40 cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy. In a randomized, double-blind study cats received a placebo or an analgesic (tramadol, vedaprofen, or tramadol-vedaprofen combination). Respiratory rate and respiratory pattern were rejected after item analysis. Five dimensions were analyzed – F1 [psychomotor change], posture, comfort, activity, mental status, and miscellaneous behaviors; F2 [protection of wound area], reaction to palpation of the surgical wound and palpation of the abdomen and flank; F3 [physiologic variables], systolic arterial blood pressure and appetite; F4 [vocal expression of pain], vocalization; and F5 [heart rate]. Results indicated internal consistency was excellent for the overall scale and for F1, F2, and F3, very good for F4, and unacceptable for F5. Therefore, there is initial evidence of the construct validity and reliability of a multidimensional composite pain scale for use in assessing acute postoperative pain in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy. [VT]

Related articles:

Hellyer P, Rodan I, Brunt J et al: AAHA/AAFP pain management guidelines for dogs and cats, J Feline Med Surg 9:466, 2007.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

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Brondani JT, Luna SPL, Padovani CR: Refinement and initial validation of a multidimensional composite scale for use in assessing acute postoperative pain in cats, Am J Vet Res 72:174, 2011

The importance of treating pain in cats has received more attention in recent years. There has been an inherent difficulty in identifying and quantifying the intensity of pain in cats due to the lack of available and validated pain assessment tools for this species. This could lead to veterinary practitioners providing less than adequate levels of pain relief. Reliability and validity of scoring systems are vital for use in recognizing pain, quantifying pain intensity, and evaluating treatment effectiveness. The purpose of this study was to refine and test construct validity and reliability of a composite pain scale used for assessing acute postoperative pain in 40 cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy. In a randomized, double-blind study cats received a placebo or an analgesic (tramadol, vedaprofen, or tramadol-vedaprofen combination). Respiratory rate and respiratory pattern were rejected after item analysis. Five dimensions were analyzed – F1 [psychomotor change], posture, comfort, activity, mental status, and miscellaneous behaviors; F2 [protection of wound area], reaction to palpation of the surgical wound and palpation of the abdomen and flank; F3 [physiologic variables], systolic arterial blood pressure and appetite; F4 [vocal expression of pain], vocalization; and F5 [heart rate]. Results indicated internal consistency was excellent for the overall scale and for F1, F2, and F3, very good for F4, and unacceptable for F5. Therefore, there is initial evidence of the construct validity and reliability of a multidimensional composite pain scale for use in assessing acute postoperative pain in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy. [VT]

Related articles:

Hellyer P, Rodan I, Brunt J et al: AAHA/AAFP pain management guidelines for dogs and cats, J Feline Med Surg 9:466, 2007.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Join us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

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Chiropractic Management of Pain in a Young Scoliosis Patient

By Nancy Martin-Molina, DC, QME, MBA

Case History

The patient is a 14-year-old girl with a recent diagnosis of scoliosis received on medical referral.

She reports her actual pain onset started at menarche around 11-12 years of age, worsening in the past 6-9 months, during which time she underwent a growth spurt.  Written parental consent is obtained and an initial evaluation is provided with radiographic spinal record review performed. She hand-carried her medical radiograph report, dated six months prior.

The patient's complaint on pain drawing is neck / mid-back / low back / midline; the pain level was rated as a 6-7/10; severe on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being severe pain with moderate interference in activities of daily living. The quality of the pain is as follows: aches at suboccipital to upper dorsal, stabbing intrascapular, aches low back. Provocative: daily ADL. Palliative: nothing; mother has tried administering Tylenol. Source: oral history and pain.

Evaluation & Findings

Clinical evaluation showed a tall, thin female with significant right convex kyphoscoliosis, left convex lumbar with hyperlordosis, and generalized weakness, especially around the pelvic and shoulder girdles. Spinal listings detected at vertebral levels C2/3, T4/T5, L3 and PSI. Allis testing was negative for femoral shortening. Measurements: Umbilicus to medial knee: L 23," R 23." Sensation is normal on light touch and to vibration and light prick. Negative Romberg. Tandem gait intact. Coordination is normal on heel-shin, finger-nose and rapid alternating.

Radiological views submitted from outside imaging included posterior and lateral projected views of thoracolumbar; revealed 12-degree dextroscoliosis with apex at T10-11, Levoscoliosis of lumbar spine with apex at L3-L4.

Treatment Plan

I discussed my findings in detail with the patient and parent utilizing charts and diagrams. I recommended that the mother purchase a gym ball; they are available in most retail outlets for home use and assist in maintaining normal flexibility in a scoliotic spine.

The frequency of radiographic monitoring is also important for achieving maximal correction. We are now recommending routine radiographs every six months to monitor for any curvature progression beyond its current degrees. Should a rapid increase in curvature or decrease in flexibility occur, a neurological referral may be indicated. (Most often, curvatures of this type do not involve the viscera, but may in the event of any growth spurts; it may progress before full skeletal maturation occurs.)

I also discussed the importance of good posture and continuity of exercises designed for curve flexibility. As the patient is a typical young female teenager overtly concerned with body image, I warned against performing any abdominal exercises whereby both the psoas muscle and the back arching come into play. I also instructed on a particular order of abdominal muscle sequencing: lower abdominal work before upper abdominal work, and oblique abdominal work before straight abdominal work.

Medical IPA authorization from the medical director approved chiropractic manipulation at a frequency of 2-3 times/week for 4-6 weeks since spinal manipulation was not felt to be contraindicated. The patient reported a subjective pain reduction of 75 percent. This is a recognized and common response to chiropractic in that like any other joint, the motor segment may become locked. This is usually associated with pain. The patient was discharged after 18 sessions with good response and scheduled for follow-up in six months.

By Nancy Martin-Molina, DC, QME, MBA

Case History

The patient is a 14-year-old girl with a recent diagnosis of scoliosis received on medical referral.

She reports her actual pain onset started at menarche around 11-12 years of age, worsening in the past 6-9 months, during which time she underwent a growth spurt.  Written parental consent is obtained and an initial evaluation is provided with radiographic spinal record review performed. She hand-carried her medical radiograph report, dated six months prior.

The patient's complaint on pain drawing is neck / mid-back / low back / midline; the pain level was rated as a 6-7/10; severe on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being severe pain with moderate interference in activities of daily living. The quality of the pain is as follows: aches at suboccipital to upper dorsal, stabbing intrascapular, aches low back. Provocative: daily ADL. Palliative: nothing; mother has tried administering Tylenol. Source: oral history and pain.

Evaluation & Findings

Clinical evaluation showed a tall, thin female with significant right convex kyphoscoliosis, left convex lumbar with hyperlordosis, and generalized weakness, especially around the pelvic and shoulder girdles. Spinal listings detected at vertebral levels C2/3, T4/T5, L3 and PSI. Allis testing was negative for femoral shortening. Measurements: Umbilicus to medial knee: L 23," R 23." Sensation is normal on light touch and to vibration and light prick. Negative Romberg. Tandem gait intact. Coordination is normal on heel-shin, finger-nose and rapid alternating.

Radiological views submitted from outside imaging included posterior and lateral projected views of thoracolumbar; revealed 12-degree dextroscoliosis with apex at T10-11, Levoscoliosis of lumbar spine with apex at L3-L4.

Treatment Plan

I discussed my findings in detail with the patient and parent utilizing charts and diagrams. I recommended that the mother purchase a gym ball; they are available in most retail outlets for home use and assist in maintaining normal flexibility in a scoliotic spine.

The frequency of radiographic monitoring is also important for achieving maximal correction. We are now recommending routine radiographs every six months to monitor for any curvature progression beyond its current degrees. Should a rapid increase in curvature or decrease in flexibility occur, a neurological referral may be indicated. (Most often, curvatures of this type do not involve the viscera, but may in the event of any growth spurts; it may progress before full skeletal maturation occurs.)

I also discussed the importance of good posture and continuity of exercises designed for curve flexibility. As the patient is a typical young female teenager overtly concerned with body image, I warned against performing any abdominal exercises whereby both the psoas muscle and the back arching come into play. I also instructed on a particular order of abdominal muscle sequencing: lower abdominal work before upper abdominal work, and oblique abdominal work before straight abdominal work.

Medical IPA authorization from the medical director approved chiropractic manipulation at a frequency of 2-3 times/week for 4-6 weeks since spinal manipulation was not felt to be contraindicated. The patient reported a subjective pain reduction of 75 percent. This is a recognized and common response to chiropractic in that like any other joint, the motor segment may become locked. This is usually associated with pain. The patient was discharged after 18 sessions with good response and scheduled for follow-up in six months.

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Scoliosis Prevalence Increases With Age

The prevalence of scoliosis increases with advancing age, with a higher prevalence in whites, according to a study published in the April 20 issue of Spine.

THURSDAY, April 28 (HealthDay News) -- The prevalence of scoliosis increases with advancing age, with a higher prevalence in whites, according to a study published in the April 20 issue of Spine.

Khaled M. Kebaish, M.D., from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, and colleagues examined the prevalence of lumbar scoliosis in adults aged 40 years or older; the association between prevalence of lumbar scoliosis and age, race, and gender; and whether these factors affect curve severity. The presence of scoliosis, defined by a curvature greater than or equal to 11.0 degrees, was ascertained by digitally measuring Cobb angles using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry lumbar spine images of 2,973 patients without a history of previous lumbar spinal surgery.

The investigators identified scoliosis in 263 individuals. A higher prevalence of scoliosis was related to age (40 to 50 years old, 3.14 percent; ≥90 years old, 50 percent), and varied among races (11.11 percent in whites, 6.49 percent in African-Americans). There was no association between the prevalence of scoliosis and gender. Curve severity was mild in most patients (80.6 percent), with no variation due to gender or age. African-Americans were more likely than other races to have mild curves (94.3 percent).

"The prevalence of scoliosis in our patients ≥40 years old was 8.85 percent and was associated with age and race, but not with gender. Most curves in our population were mild; curve severity was associated with race but not with age or gender," the authors write.

The prevalence of scoliosis increases with advancing age, with a higher prevalence in whites, according to a study published in the April 20 issue of Spine.

THURSDAY, April 28 (HealthDay News) -- The prevalence of scoliosis increases with advancing age, with a higher prevalence in whites, according to a study published in the April 20 issue of Spine.

Khaled M. Kebaish, M.D., from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, and colleagues examined the prevalence of lumbar scoliosis in adults aged 40 years or older; the association between prevalence of lumbar scoliosis and age, race, and gender; and whether these factors affect curve severity. The presence of scoliosis, defined by a curvature greater than or equal to 11.0 degrees, was ascertained by digitally measuring Cobb angles using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry lumbar spine images of 2,973 patients without a history of previous lumbar spinal surgery.

The investigators identified scoliosis in 263 individuals. A higher prevalence of scoliosis was related to age (40 to 50 years old, 3.14 percent; ≥90 years old, 50 percent), and varied among races (11.11 percent in whites, 6.49 percent in African-Americans). There was no association between the prevalence of scoliosis and gender. Curve severity was mild in most patients (80.6 percent), with no variation due to gender or age. African-Americans were more likely than other races to have mild curves (94.3 percent).

"The prevalence of scoliosis in our patients ≥40 years old was 8.85 percent and was associated with age and race, but not with gender. Most curves in our population were mild; curve severity was associated with race but not with age or gender," the authors write.

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Low vitamin D levels linked to diabetes risk

NEW YORK — Lower levels of vitamin D circulating in the bloodstream are tied to a higher risk of developing diabetes in a new study of Australian adults.

After following more than 5,000 people for 5 years, the researchers found those with lower than average vitamin D levels had a 57 percent increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared with people with levels in the recommended range.

"Studies like ours have suggested that blood levels of vitamin D higher than what is recommended for bone health may be necessary to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes," said lead author Dr. Claudia Gagnon, a fellow at the Western Hospital at the University of Melbourne in Australia, where the study was done.

Vitamin D is manufactured by the body in response to sunlight and also occurs naturally in some foods, like eggs, cod and salmon. The vitamin is best known for its role in working with calcium to build bones.

The Institute of Medicine recommends that adults get about 600 IU of vitamin D a day to maintain circulating levels in the desirable range.

Past studies have shown that vitamin D may also help keep blood sugar levels under control. In type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease, the body can't use insulin it produces efficiently to control blood sugar levels. Vitamin D may play a role by increasing the release of insulin, Gagnon said.

To see whether circulating D levels and calcium consumption influenced insulin sensitivity and diabetes risk, Gagnon's team measured the vitamin D blood levels of 5,200 people without diabetes. After 5 years, about 200 of them had developed diabetes, and the researchers measured everyone's vitamin D levels again.

Risk of diabetes rises 57 percent
The researchers found that twice as many people — 6 in 100 — with low blood levels of vitamin D later developed diabetes, compared to those with blood levels in the normal range —3 in 100.

When the researchers took into consideration risk factors for diabetes such as age, waist circumference, and a family history of the disease, the increased risk from low D levels translated to 57 percent, relative to those with higher levels.

Calcium is also thought to participate in insulin release, but the researchers found no link between the mineral and risk of developing diabetes later.

"Lower levels of vitamin D in the blood were associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes," Gagnon told Reuters Health by e-mail. "However, our findings do not prove cause and effect."

Further studies are needed, Gagnon's group writes in the journal Diabetes Care, both to directly test whether vitamin D supplements make a difference in diabetes risk, and if so, to determine the optimal circulating D levels to minimize that risk.

It's hard to know what exactly the link between vitamin D and diabetes is, Dr. Ian de Boer, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Washington in Seattle, told Reuters Health.

Obesity, inactivity may be factors
But obesity and inactivity, the highest risk factors for type 2 diabetes, may be the cause of low vitamin D levels, said de Boer, who did not work on the Australian study.

Vitamin D has also been linked to lower risks of asthma, heart disease, and certain cancers. However, there hasn't been much evidence showing that taking supplements helps these conditions.

Vitamin D is widely available for less than $10 for a 2-month supply.

The sun is the major vitamin D source for most people, but salmon and fortified dairy products also contain a lot, de Boer added.

The best ways to reduce diabetes risk are still to exercise and eat a healthy diet, he said.

"I don't think there's conclusive information that supplementing with vitamin D reduces diabetes risk," de Boer said.

NEW YORK — Lower levels of vitamin D circulating in the bloodstream are tied to a higher risk of developing diabetes in a new study of Australian adults.

After following more than 5,000 people for 5 years, the researchers found those with lower than average vitamin D levels had a 57 percent increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared with people with levels in the recommended range.

"Studies like ours have suggested that blood levels of vitamin D higher than what is recommended for bone health may be necessary to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes," said lead author Dr. Claudia Gagnon, a fellow at the Western Hospital at the University of Melbourne in Australia, where the study was done.

Vitamin D is manufactured by the body in response to sunlight and also occurs naturally in some foods, like eggs, cod and salmon. The vitamin is best known for its role in working with calcium to build bones.

The Institute of Medicine recommends that adults get about 600 IU of vitamin D a day to maintain circulating levels in the desirable range.

Past studies have shown that vitamin D may also help keep blood sugar levels under control. In type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease, the body can't use insulin it produces efficiently to control blood sugar levels. Vitamin D may play a role by increasing the release of insulin, Gagnon said.

To see whether circulating D levels and calcium consumption influenced insulin sensitivity and diabetes risk, Gagnon's team measured the vitamin D blood levels of 5,200 people without diabetes. After 5 years, about 200 of them had developed diabetes, and the researchers measured everyone's vitamin D levels again.

Risk of diabetes rises 57 percent
The researchers found that twice as many people — 6 in 100 — with low blood levels of vitamin D later developed diabetes, compared to those with blood levels in the normal range —3 in 100.

When the researchers took into consideration risk factors for diabetes such as age, waist circumference, and a family history of the disease, the increased risk from low D levels translated to 57 percent, relative to those with higher levels.

Calcium is also thought to participate in insulin release, but the researchers found no link between the mineral and risk of developing diabetes later.

"Lower levels of vitamin D in the blood were associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes," Gagnon told Reuters Health by e-mail. "However, our findings do not prove cause and effect."

Further studies are needed, Gagnon's group writes in the journal Diabetes Care, both to directly test whether vitamin D supplements make a difference in diabetes risk, and if so, to determine the optimal circulating D levels to minimize that risk.

It's hard to know what exactly the link between vitamin D and diabetes is, Dr. Ian de Boer, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Washington in Seattle, told Reuters Health.

Obesity, inactivity may be factors
But obesity and inactivity, the highest risk factors for type 2 diabetes, may be the cause of low vitamin D levels, said de Boer, who did not work on the Australian study.

Vitamin D has also been linked to lower risks of asthma, heart disease, and certain cancers. However, there hasn't been much evidence showing that taking supplements helps these conditions.

Vitamin D is widely available for less than $10 for a 2-month supply.

The sun is the major vitamin D source for most people, but salmon and fortified dairy products also contain a lot, de Boer added.

The best ways to reduce diabetes risk are still to exercise and eat a healthy diet, he said.

"I don't think there's conclusive information that supplementing with vitamin D reduces diabetes risk," de Boer said.

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Popular Drink Increases Stroke Risk

In a study of 2564 people of varying ethnic backgrounds, researchers at Columbia University in New York and the Miller School of Medicine in Miami found a significant correlation between diet soda consumption and the risk of stroke.

Begun in 1993, the Northern Manhattan Study known as NOMAS has been ongoing and still continues. Researchers divided people into seven groups: those who drank less than one soda of any type per month, those with moderate soda consumption (up to six per week), daily regular soda consumption (one or more daily), moderate diet soda only, daily diet soda only, moderate diet soda and sometimes regular soda, and daily diet soda with any regular soda consumption.

Scientists factored in the age, ethnicity, gender, exercise habits, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and caloric intake. During the test period participants had 559 strokes combined.

After considering all the other factors studied, researchers concluded that regular diet soda drinkers had a 48% increased chance of having a stroke, while those who drank diet soda every day had a 61% increased risk of stroke over those who drank other types of soda.

Concurrently, it is important to note that Diet Coke recently moved into the number two position of most popular beverage among Americans–a scary proposition considering the recent study findings.

The stroke culprit is likely aspartame, an artificial sweetener that has been linked to dozens of other health conditions. According to Lynne Melcombe, author of Health Hazards of White Sugar, research links aspartame to the following health conditions: anxiety attacks; appetite problems such as binge-eating and sugar cravings; birth defects; blindness and vision problems such as blurred vision, bright flashes, and tunnel vision; brain tumors; chest pain; depression and emotional problems; dizziness and vertigo; edema; epilepsy and seizures; fatigue; headaches and migraines; hearing loss and tinnitus; heart palpitations and arrhythmia; hyperactivity; insomnia; joint pain; learning disabilities; memory loss; menstrual irregularities and PMS (premenstrual syndrome); muscle cramps; nausea; numbness of extremities; psychiatric disorders; reproductive problems; skin lesions; slurred speech; and uterine tumors. Research even links aspartame to death. Aspartame’s effects can be mistaken for Alzheimer’s disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, epilepsy, Epstein-Barr virus, Huntington’s chorea, hypothyroidism, Lou Gehrig’s disease; Lyme disease, Ménière’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and postpolio syndrome.

According to Randall Fitzgerald, author of The Hundred-Year Lie, some of the cancers linked to aspartame include: brain, liver, lung, kidney, and lymphoreticular cancer.

In a study of 2564 people of varying ethnic backgrounds, researchers at Columbia University in New York and the Miller School of Medicine in Miami found a significant correlation between diet soda consumption and the risk of stroke.

Begun in 1993, the Northern Manhattan Study known as NOMAS has been ongoing and still continues. Researchers divided people into seven groups: those who drank less than one soda of any type per month, those with moderate soda consumption (up to six per week), daily regular soda consumption (one or more daily), moderate diet soda only, daily diet soda only, moderate diet soda and sometimes regular soda, and daily diet soda with any regular soda consumption.

Scientists factored in the age, ethnicity, gender, exercise habits, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and caloric intake. During the test period participants had 559 strokes combined.

After considering all the other factors studied, researchers concluded that regular diet soda drinkers had a 48% increased chance of having a stroke, while those who drank diet soda every day had a 61% increased risk of stroke over those who drank other types of soda.

Concurrently, it is important to note that Diet Coke recently moved into the number two position of most popular beverage among Americans–a scary proposition considering the recent study findings.

The stroke culprit is likely aspartame, an artificial sweetener that has been linked to dozens of other health conditions. According to Lynne Melcombe, author of Health Hazards of White Sugar, research links aspartame to the following health conditions: anxiety attacks; appetite problems such as binge-eating and sugar cravings; birth defects; blindness and vision problems such as blurred vision, bright flashes, and tunnel vision; brain tumors; chest pain; depression and emotional problems; dizziness and vertigo; edema; epilepsy and seizures; fatigue; headaches and migraines; hearing loss and tinnitus; heart palpitations and arrhythmia; hyperactivity; insomnia; joint pain; learning disabilities; memory loss; menstrual irregularities and PMS (premenstrual syndrome); muscle cramps; nausea; numbness of extremities; psychiatric disorders; reproductive problems; skin lesions; slurred speech; and uterine tumors. Research even links aspartame to death. Aspartame’s effects can be mistaken for Alzheimer’s disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, epilepsy, Epstein-Barr virus, Huntington’s chorea, hypothyroidism, Lou Gehrig’s disease; Lyme disease, Ménière’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and postpolio syndrome.

According to Randall Fitzgerald, author of The Hundred-Year Lie, some of the cancers linked to aspartame include: brain, liver, lung, kidney, and lymphoreticular cancer.

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FeLV and Feline Lymphoma

Weiss ATA, Klopfleisch R, Gruber AD: Prevalence of feline leukaemia provirus DNA in feline lymphomas, Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery 12: 929, 2010.

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is an important pathogen of cats. Since development of screening assays and vaccines for FeLV, the prevalence of persistently infected cats has decreased. Recent studies have shown that the FeLV genetic material remains in cats exposed to the virus, though viral replication may not occur. Concern exists that this persistent viral DNA may contribute to development of lymphoma in cats. To determine if an association exists, samples from 50 cases of lymphoma were tested for the presence of FeLV. Viral DNA was detected in a high percentage of all types of feline lymphomas by these investigators. Thus, though the prevalence of FeLV infection as well as lymphoma has decreased with the development of control measures for FeLV, a significant portion of feline lymphomas appear to involve FeLV genetic material. [MK]

Related articles:

Stutzer B, Simon K, Lutz H et al: Incidence of persistent viraemia and latent feline leukaemia virus infection in cats with lymphoma, Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery 13: 81, 2011.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

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Weiss ATA, Klopfleisch R, Gruber AD: Prevalence of feline leukaemia provirus DNA in feline lymphomas, Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery 12: 929, 2010.

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is an important pathogen of cats. Since development of screening assays and vaccines for FeLV, the prevalence of persistently infected cats has decreased. Recent studies have shown that the FeLV genetic material remains in cats exposed to the virus, though viral replication may not occur. Concern exists that this persistent viral DNA may contribute to development of lymphoma in cats. To determine if an association exists, samples from 50 cases of lymphoma were tested for the presence of FeLV. Viral DNA was detected in a high percentage of all types of feline lymphomas by these investigators. Thus, though the prevalence of FeLV infection as well as lymphoma has decreased with the development of control measures for FeLV, a significant portion of feline lymphomas appear to involve FeLV genetic material. [MK]

Related articles:

Stutzer B, Simon K, Lutz H et al: Incidence of persistent viraemia and latent feline leukaemia virus infection in cats with lymphoma, Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery 13: 81, 2011.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Join us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Read More